Axl Rose Says No to Hall of Fame Ceremony, Declines Induction

Robert Cianflone/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — It looks like Axl Rose has put an emphatic kibosh on any possibility for a reunion of Guns N’ Roses classic lineup at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony Saturday in Cleveland.

In a lengthy and detailed open letter sent via his publicist Wednesday morning to the Los Angeles Times, the singer declared that not only would he not be attending the event, but that he also was declining his “induction as a member of Guns N’ Roses.”

In the letter, addressed to “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Guns N’ Roses Fans and Whom It May Concern,” Rose explains that when the induction was first announced, “I was honored, excited and hoped that somehow this would be a good thing,” while realizing that the circumstances surrounding the band likely would result in “somewhat of a complicated or awkward situation.”

He goes on to point out that several factors, including his observations of the Rock Hall induction committee’s actions and the negative comments made by some of his former GN’R band mates, led him to the conclusion that “the ceremony doesn’t appear to be somewhere I’m actually wanted or respected.”

Axl also addresses the possibility of reuniting at any time with his former GN’R members, noting that he would only consider playing live occasionally — as he has done in the past — with guitarist Izzy Stradlin and bassist Duff McKagan.

In addition, he praises the talents and relationships he has with Guns’ current lineup, saying, “I love our band now. We’re there for each other when the going gets rough. We love our fans and work to give them every ounce of energy and heart we can.”

Continuing, he thanks the Rock Hall for nominating and inducting GN’R, as well as the band’s fans “for being there over the years, making any success we’ve had possible and for enjoying and supporting Guns N’ Roses music.”

He finishes by extending his “congratulations to all the other artists being inducted.”